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Watch live: Senate weighs importance of Greenland to US amid Trump acquisition push

The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday morning is holding a hearing looking into the importance of Greenland to U.S. interests.

The hearing comes as President Trump has consistently floated the idea of acquiring Greenland, which is self-governing but a part of Denmark.

Greenland has been of strategic importance to the U.S. at least since the beginning of the Cold War, when the so-called GIUK gap — the stretch of water between Greenland, Iceland and the U.K. — was essential in helping contain the Soviet navy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that the purchase, which Denmark and Greenland have both spurned, is “not a joke.” And despite pushback from residents, Trump has suggested the territory will eventually “come along.”

The hearing also comes a day after Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) introduced legislation to rename the Arctic island to “Red, White and Blueland.”


The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST.

Watch the live video above.

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